|
|
|
Back To Blog Entries
| Living in Paradise
by mariwilo at 2/13/2009 12:15:33 AM
I moved to Hawaii a few months ago and am living my dream. There are a few things here that are different from where I moved from.
When was the last time you were in a WalMart and over the loud speaker the announcement said that the tour bus will be arriving in 5 minutes to take the cruise ship passengers back to the ship? It happens here every time there is a ship in port. This struck me funny. I laugh every time all the way home.
The TV commercials are funny as well. The local ones, no matter what the business, includes all the family members. The people here feel that family, ohana, is trust and the fact that they always include the entire family in their adds say something about their business. Then there is the cable tv add with the bride and groom sitting on the couch all dressed up in their wedding attire and he wants to see what is on cable and she wants him to turn the tv off and have their wedding night. You have to see it. It is the look on her face and the tone of her voice. Very funny.
I wake up most mornings hearing bells and shortly will hear a helecopter over head. Someone is flying over the crater and lava flow to the ocean. They also get to fly over the waterfalls. That is such a fun trip to do, really fun. The volcano rim drive was closed the last time we went there. Couldn't drive around or to the museum. I have stopped at the winery thouth. I have driven to the end of the road where the lava flows into the ocean. Need to go back to that one soon during the daylight. I also want to go to the summit of Mauna Kea where the air is thin and the stars are at their brightest. There is lots of snow up there right now.
Southpoint is the southernmost point of the United States. The wind is pretty strong and the scenery is gorgeous. You seem to drive forever and once you get there you are not sure you are there. There are options. We drove right and found ourselves at a cliff 40 feet up where a few people were diving into the water. There was a rope ladder to get yourself up again but the easiest way was to wait for the wave to raise you up high enough to get a foot hold on this ladder. The water was so clear and blue. It was so beautiful. We didn't stay long or explore the area but I guess there is a beach closer to the water and I have seen pictures of the green sand beach that would take all day to hike to and back again.
Hapuna beach is one of the most beautiful on the islands. White sand, palm trees and beautiful sunsets. Lots of parking, great pathways to get from the parking lot onto the beach. Lots of sand and grass with picnic areas. Too bad it is on the other side of the island. This was where I almost lost my swim suit last year.
Parker Ranch is pretty much the northern section of the island. It is or was the largest private working ranch in the United States. There is a cowboy store there too. They hold rodeos and have BBQ dinners. Also in that area is Mauna Kea where there is snow. They ski and snowboard. You get up the mountain in the back of a pick up truck. There are no chair lifts or lodges.
For superbowl we had a party. The game was on, we had our betting pool going on. It was per quarter. Bob won the first quarter, Rose won the second and third and Patty won the fourth. Each won $10.00. It was Uncle Don's birthday also. We gave presents and had birthday cake with ice cream. Augustine was at the BBQ and did hot dogs and ribs. The chef that he is, he made fancy hors douvres and we even had pizza. The cooler was full of what ever you wanted to drink. Josie took lots of pictures. Patty was pissed that her team lost. She is really into sports. I had the pot until the Steelers made another touchdown. I was glad Patty got the money. Then Patty and I had to go to work. We were late arriving because of the game. Phet probably thought we fell in. It was not busy because of the game. We did actually have customers that night. I really didn't think there would be anybody out to eat dinner.
Shopping here is interesting. Everywhere there is hawaiian print shirts and dresses and sections of stores for the tourist. The only mall on the island is here in Hilo. The other shopping areas are outside. King Shops has all the big name stores. If you want a pair of shoes or a purse you will spend hundreds for each. Brand clothing stores are real big here. Bring money.
Waikoloa Village Hilton is fun to visit and stay at. Eating on the terrace watching the dolphins always looks like the participants are having lots of fun. This resort is huge and you could arrive and never leave and not do everything there is to offer. They have boats, trains, Elvis, waterfalls into pools, slides, bridges, wedding chapel, a zoo of sorts, hot tubs and much more. Would like to stay there again some day.
I can hear the ocean waves against the lava rock wall by the pool outside my window. It is so soothing. I would like to have someone with me to enjoy the view as I really want to find that special someone to share this adventure.
|
|
|
|
 |